I use a filing cabinet and i also scan less important docs into my laptop, and then put some of that information into drop box such as lists of medications for each family member…. I use dropbox a lot because I can get it from everywhere so easily. One closet was full of nothing but old tax records!
Then started a new filing system. Taxes in one portable file box. The rest in another one. Felt soooooooo good! Need dishes?? I have 5 sets!! So excited to get rid of things and make life more simple. I think that is great that you are making these changes and thinking of your kids.
We just experienced great loss in our family, and so I know that the more things are organized, the better it is for those left behind. I know what you mean about the medical records dilemma. After working in the medical field I learned the importance of medical records. I have made my own medical chart at home. It has all lab reports, xray doctors notes etc. All my discs are put in a sleeve that goes in my notebook.
When I go to the doctor my notebook goes with me. If they need a prior report I have it and they can take a copy of it. They do take up space but gives me piece of mind and gets rid of the hassle of the medical facility asking me if I happen to have a prior report.
I also have a chart for dental records. When the file is old and there is no use of it to organize this kind of file is a big task. But after reading your blog I find the ways to organize the file properly.
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Receipts: Just for big purchases or things I want to tax-deduct. I am not going to scan every grocery receipt. Papers that go with big purchases. Example: I may need to look up a model number. For instance, we needed a replacement part for our backyard playground.
Even though I could tell the person on the phone what model I thought on their website exactly matched our play-set, they needed the exact model number from the manual.
Evidently some of their play-sets are built in the US and some in China, and the parts are different even though they look the same!! The manual is available on their website, but it was handy to have the model number when I needed it.
Home repairs: I keep receipts and records of any sizable repair or improvement we make to the home. Auto files: I keep a file per vehicle with pertinent info, tire warranties, record of maintenance, and major repairs. Real Estate file folder per property, past and present : Important closing or rental information. Loan Documents one file per loan : Records of loans and loan payoffs. If a directory becomes obsolete, then I recycle it. Ecclesiastical Documents: certificates of blessings, baptisms, and other religious documents.
Files for whatever makes your life unique: Just remember to think about how to avoid accumulating unnecessary papers! Tax Documents I have 8 tax file folders that rotate. Sounds Fun, right? Okay, maybe not, but we all have to adult once in a while.
Comments I love this! Thanks for the great tips, paperwork is the thing I struggle with most to keep organized! When in the process of arranging your digital files, delete redundant documents to empty space on your computer. Uninstall applications that you no longer use to help your computer run faster and clear out the clutter. It is typical to have unclear names for documents.
To help you and your relatives find important documents or pictures, rename any that currently have cryptic naming conventions. Keep the names clear and consistent. If using dates in your file naming, be sure to keep all dates written the same way.
Assign intuitive names that will make recognizing your documents easy. Simply start with those that have ambiguous or unclear names. Having to open three or four folders to access a single document can get frustrating and confusing. For files and documents that you know your relatives will need to access, create shortcuts on your desktop.
Shortcuts give you and your relatives direct access to the documents or folders that you need to access frequently from any location on your computer. Shortcuts are usually set up on the desktop, but you can locate them anywhere. Thanks to this alias, you can directly access any nested document or folder from anywhere on your computer. Doing this will move the location of your original file instead of creating an alias. Make sure to create an alias and avoid any messy confusion.
To create shortcuts in Windows 10, you have two main options:. Whether you use a Mac or Windows computer, you can easily set up shortcuts so you or your relatives can access any file quickly. Organizing photos is a fun part of uncluttering your digital files. During the process, you can go through and relive all the happy adventures and life events that bring back joyful memories. Protecting and organizing these kinds of photos is important. To protect your digital photos and create a system that is easy to access, you must first choose the appropriate storage system.
An appropriate storage system will support large quantities of photos and serve as a digital backup as well. You may choose to utilize more than one of the following options to reduce the risk of losing files. The main benefit of an external hard drive is its massive storage capacity. In addition to organizing files and folders neatly, an external hard drive functions as a backup to your computer.
Most external hard drives today are pocket-sized and affordable. Depending on the number of files that you want to store, you may want an option as large as a 4 Terabyte TB external hard drive. Not only can you backup your valuable files to your external hard drive, but given its compact size, you may carry it with you when you need to and upload on the go. An external drive allows you to keep all of your photos uploaded and stored for quick access in one location.
Cloud services are a great option to store and organize your photos. The main providers of cloud storage services are Google, Dropbox, and iCloud. If you have an email account, you might already be using one of these.
By turning on automatic upload from your phone or computer, it makes the process of storing your files in the cloud quick and easy. Lewis is a retired corporate executive, entrepreneur, and investment advisor in Texas.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 79, times. Personal files can easily and quickly become unorganized. The more unorganized your files become, the harder it will be to find them again in the future. To help make your personal files easier to find and file away, you'll want to take some time and properly organize them.
The exact system you use will be up to you. However, there are some basic methods of personal file organization that you can use to help you get your files in order. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings.
Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Things You'll Need. Related Articles. Co-authored by Michael R. Lewis Last Updated: January 2, References. Part 1. Keep it simple. The point of creating a filing system is to make things easier on yourself.
You'll want to avoid making your system overly complicated or confusing. Keeping your system as simple as you can will help you easily file or retrieve whatever documents you might need to work with.
Storing too much can make your system clunky and hard to use. Avoid needless complexity in your file system. Throw away files that you are sure you no longer need. Use the right amount of depth in your system. It might be tempting to create a lot of different categories and subcategories for your files to fit in.
However, it's a good idea to only make broad level categories and to use only as many as you absolutely need. Creating too many categories can result in a clunky and inefficient filing system. Make sure you create the right amount of organizational depth in your system to keep it working smoothly. Simply having a category for monthly or weekly receipts might be more appropriate for your filing system.
Having a section for clients and then arranging them in alphabetical is an example of an effective level of depth. Make your files easy to find.
Your filing system will benefit greatly from having obvious visual cues that let you know exactly where something is stored.
Making the sections of your file system obvious will help you quickly locate an item or file one away. Keep some of these tips in mind when making your files stand out: [3] X Research source [4] X Research source Use colored folders to indicate certain categories or sections. Try keeping a handy list of the colors and the categories you have assigned to them. Use a label maker to clearly label your files. The sides also unsnap and fold flat when you don't need it, and the extra-deep lid leaves room for tabs too.
If you know you won't need to reference the materials on the reg, turn to sleek magazine files for a more stylish bookshelf. These ones with leather label slots come in sets of six. Not only is this tried-and-true system pretty to look at, it'll also make hunting through papers way faster.
All you have to do is look for the green folders when you want to find your tax info or blue for medical docs. More than 1, Amazon customers have given this vertical file folder a 4. There are enough pockets for each of our four family members, plus a few more that I've designated for bills and other correspondence. If you want something a bit sturdier than plastic, this mail file combines distressed wood and galvanized metal pockets big enough to hold whatever comes its way.
Keep your registration, insurance, and car maintenance information all in the same place. Five interior pockets stow important auto papers, and an included pen and pad give you a spot to jot down the last time you took the car to the shop.
And if you're a true road warrior , a clip-on organizer will save work documents from getting crumpled down in the foot well. The extra cup holder never hurts either. Keep pregnancy reports, pediatrician records, immunizations, and your little one's ID certifications you don't want to lose that social security card!
The folders come with stick-on labels, or you can customize your own. Don't let sentimental items get mixed up on your desk. Dedicate a bin to each of your children and divide it up by school age — preschool, middle school, and even high school. See more at Simple As That ». Your coworker's baby shower? Your family's holiday gift lists?
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